Historic Hood River
Lost Art
Notes
This 1911 postcard shows two lost arts: postcard writing and cursive writing. We say the front side of the card here, but the reverse tells an important story if you care to spend the time reading it. I’ve bumped up the contrast to make it a little easier to decipher, and her handwriting is pretty nice.
The card is from Horatio Davidson’s wife Mary to Daisy Davidson back in Ohio. She talks about selling the Powerdale power station Davidson was instrumental in constructing back in 1904, which we saw in this image (one of my favorites). You also learn about the family’s health, and a trip to Portland to buy three automobiles for their business.
Postcards with messages are always more fun than the unused ones people put in albums. I’ve looked at this one many times before but didn’t get far enough into the squiggles to realize this is someone we know writing about interesting local subjects.
L.E.
Rash must be a nickname for Horatio?
Daisy was married to Conde Davidson, Horatio’s uncle. He was much younger than Horatio’s father Charles. Maud is probably Horatio’s sister who is married to Will Chipping. Helen is the daughter of Mary and Horatio.
I can’t figure out what she is saying about the weather. "Cold and ?? but clear?
I am able to read most of the cursive. We now have high school students who are unable to write their signature in cursive.
ArthurB
I thought "HF" might be Horatio– "HE and HF were in Portland buy autos this week."
I read it as "Cold and sleighing but clear"
I'm on mmm
I
Judy
The old journals & records at the museum & even at the courthouse (on microfilm) are in cursive. It is hard for me to believe we are almost raising "illiterates". In my opinion they are just lazy & don’t want to take the time.
Barbara parsons
I feel the same way, Judy. What have we done? Does anyone know where I can get one of those small paperbound Rice Penmanship books we learned from at Park Street School? I write a legible hand…not perfect, but plain enough, and my messages are just chicken scratchings to my 17-year old grandson. I wish somebody would issue the "Captain Underpants" books in cursive yo at least give kids a start.